End Of A NASCAR Era

Joe Wicked · #1 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009, 08:54 AM

Pretty much saw it coming. It was just a matter of time. As an organization they were unable to put a consistent top finishing car on the track for years. After 10 seasons of 0 wins, with only a handful of top 10s, the writing was on the wall. The new generation of fans do not know and understand the legacy and what Petty Enterprises did for the sport, back when it really was Stock Car racing.

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009, 09:04 AM

Yea, it really tells my age when I miss the Pettys, Earnhearts, Pearson, Ned Jarrett, Buddy Baker and the rest that drove actual cars made by the car companies. I like the shows where they have a bunch of the old drivers sitting around talking about when they were driving.
One of my favorites is Ned Jarrett telling about buying a new 1957 Ford to race at Daytona, but he never had enough money to cover the check so he wrote it late Friday afternoon so they couldn't get it to the bank. Then he took the car to Daytona and he had to win both races to have the money to cover the check. One of his crew wrapped the steering wheel with friction tape and did it the wrong way. He won the first race but his hands were cut so bad they had to take him to a hospital and have them stitched up. He said he didn't know what to do as he couldn't drive, and I believe it was Buddy Baker that told him he would drive the car and he won the 2nd race, so Ned raced back home and was at the bank when it opened Monday morning to deposit the money to cover that check. And Dale Earnheart telling how he used to hide in the trunk of his race car so the people he owed money to couldn't find him.

Ron

Fordzilla · #3 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron61

Yea, it really tells my age when I miss the Pettys, Earnhearts, Pearson, Ned Jarrett, Buddy Baker and the rest that drove actual cars made by the car companies.

Ron

Brings back fond memories: Cale Yarborough, AJ Foyt, Richard Petty, the names go on....... How about the travel team that did small town USA of Joey Chitwood?? Anyone remember watching the Chitwoods perform?? Those were the days!

Ron61 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordzilla

Brings back fond memories: Cale Yarborough, AJ Foyt, Richard Petty, the names go on....... How about the travel team that did small town USA of Joey Chitwood?? Anyone remember watching the Chitwoods perform?? Those were the days!

I remember them. Please don't ask my age as I can't recall that far back.

Ron

Dan40 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009, 12:33 PM

The S in NASCAR used to stand for STOCK, didn't it? What does it stand for now that no parts of any of the cars comes from any "stock?"

Dan

elmariachi · #6 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan40

The S in NASCAR used to stand for STOCK, didn't it? What does it stand for now that no parts of any of the cars comes from any "stock?"Dan

National Association of Standardized Commercial Advertising Racers.

Ron61 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-03-2009, 02:36 AM

elmariachi,

Good answer but don't you think the R would better fit Reporters as that is all they are now. Listen to an interview and all you hear is 5 minutes of thanking everyone that can remember and telling what a great race and car they had. Ant those are the ones that only finished 1 lap down.

Now this was when it was actually Stock Car Racing: !967 Plymouth.

Ron